Fantasy Fix: Don't jump on player bandwagon too soon

The MLB season officially started Sunday with the Atlanta Braves beating up on the World Series champion, the Philadelphia Phillies.

Derek Lowe pitched eight strong innings, giving up only two hits, but it was a rookie who stole the show.

Jordan Schafer, the Braves centerfielder, went two for three with a run, an RBI and home run in his first major league at bat. Look out for Schafer in deeper leagues where he could have some value this year.

The real action, though, began Monday when there were 13 games scheduled.

There were a few good performances Monday that didn't go unnoticed in the fantasy community.

I'll start off in Florida, where the Marlins put a hurting on the still woeful Washington Nationals.

Hanley Ramirez owners were rejoicing about his two-run, home run, and five RBI game.

I believe Ramirez is going to set a personal best in the RBI department this year with no less than 90 RBI by the time October rolls around.

Another Marlin, Emilo Bonifacio, also had a spectacular game Monday.

Bonifacio went four for five with two RBI, four runs and an incredible inside the park home run. The home run was the first inside the park home run on opening day since 1968, when Carly Yastrzemski did it.

The Marlins new lead-off man also added three stolen bases.

Soon after Bonifacio's performance Monday, his ownership in Yahoo leagues jumped from five to 17 percent.

If you've got some space on your bench, I recommend taking a good look at Bonifacio, but I also recommend just looking and not just jumping on the bandwagon after one good game.

Give him a few games to really show you what he's got.

Tony Clark and Felipe Lopez of the Arizona Diamondbacks combined for four home runs in Arizona's 9-8 win against the Colorado Rockies.

It wasn't even the fact Clark and Lopez hit two home runs each - it was the fact that they each did it from both sides of the plate.

This time of year, it's very easy to go out and snag a player or two off the waiver wire based on one or two good games.

I suggest showing some patience before running out to grab the latest "It" player off the waivers.

Give your current players a chance to prove themselves for at least a week or two before dumping them for a hot upstart. Only in deeper leagues, or in cases where your bench is a little thin, would I suggest picking up someone off the waivers this early.

Next week, I will highlight the players I believe are worth a look on the waiver wire and, if necessary, recommend players to add to your roster.